Yannick Nézet-Séguin to Commence at New York’s Met Opera Two Years Early

Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin will commence his appointment as Music Director of New York’s Metropolitan Opera two seasons earlier than originally planned

It has been announced today that French-Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin will commence his appointment as Music Director of New York’s Metropolitan Opera in September this year - 2 seasons earlier than originally planned.

The 42 year old was appointed to the leadership role in June 2016 - with an original anticipated start date in 2020.

The change to Nézet-Séguin’s commencement comes just months after the opera house announced they had suspended relations with Music Director Emeritus James Levine - pending an investigation into multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

Nézet-Séguin will lead productions of ‘La Traviata’, ‘Pelléas et Mélisande' and ‘Dialogues des Carmélites’ during the 2018-19 season.

He has served as principal conductor of the Montreal Orchestre Metropolitan since 2000 – and as Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2012.

The Met has indicated new funding was found to support the decision, including a $15 million gift from the Neubauer Family Foundation - who were also founding sponsors of the opera house's successful ‘LIVE in HD’ movie theatre transmissions.